Reindeer Ornament Exchange

Here is what I stitched for my partner for the Reindeer Round ornament exchange for Hooked on Exchanging Too:

Christmas 17 by The Floss Box

Fabric:  32 ct. Ice Blue Belfast linen

Fibre's:  Charted and my own conversion

Embellishments:  Beads, reindeer ribbon

Finished as a pillow ornament

I highly recommend that you check out The Floss Box.  Emily has tons (and I mean TONS) of freebies on her site for both cross stitch and embroidery.  You can also purchase her very reasonably priced patterns and download them in minutes.

Exchange from Ina

I received this beautiful 15 sided biscornu and other goodies from Ina (no blog) all the way from the Netherlands!  I can't imagine the time it took to put it together.  Aren't the snowflakes pretty?!

Thank you Ina! 

Merry Christmas everyone!

Merry Christmas

Here are two different finishes of the same freebie design by Threadwork Primitives.  I've seen this design done on a lot of blogs.  It's a quick stitch and pretty too!  I stitched it for the HoE exchange group.

Merry Christmas by Threadwork Primitives

Fabric:  36 ct. Edinburgh linen

Fibre's:  WDW Holly and Garnet

Finished as a stitching tin, embellished with Holly fabric, a magnet and velvet ribbon

The past few years we've gone to an ornament exchange party at friends.  It's a great way to kick off the Christmas season.  Everyone bring's a wrapped ornament, pick a number and then the fun starts.  #1 is the worst number to get.  If the ornament you pick is awesome #2 can steal it, and so on.  It's the best to get the last number as you get the pick of the crop!  So I chose to stitch an ornament this year.



 Merry Christmas by Threadwork Primitives

Fabric: 32 ct. Platinum Laguna

Fibre's: WDW Holly and Garnet

Finished as pillow ornament

I have more finishes to post, but I'll save them for another post in a couple days.  Have a great weekend!

Mr. Bones - Edited

This is my latest finish-finish for Hooked on Exchanging 2010 Halloween exchange.  I mailed it on Monday and my partner received it already!

I bought a unfinished mini wooden coffin at Michaels and painted it up for Mr. Bones resting place.  I thought it added just the right touch!

Mr. Bones by SamSarah Design Studio
JCS Halloween Issue 2008

Fibres:  As charted (orange was DMC conversion)

Stitched on white perforated paper by Mill Hill

I heard from my partner that she loved it!  What I really like about participating in exchanges is pushing myself to come up with something different than the standard ornament to make it special and unexpected for my partner.  This was a lot of fun.  I have to credit my DD because she was the one to persuade me to stitch Mr. Bones.

For the Birds Exchange

Here is a pretty pinkeep I recieved from Trillium:

Freebie by Berthi Smith-Sanders a Dutch designer

Here is what I stitched for my exchange partner, Lucy:

"Love Letters" by Blackbird Designs
from Joyeux Noel
Fabric:  32ct. opalescent mystery colour by Stitches & Spice
Fibres:  recommend Gentle Art floss

I am super happy with the way this little box turned out!  It was a lot of fun to put together.  I'll definitely do this finish again.  Instead of the word Noel, I used the alphabet from the same BBD book and charted her name to personalize it for Lucy.

Happy Stitching!

Exchange and Giveaway Received!

I got my beautiful LHN/CCN exchange in the mail from Clare!  It is incredible and I'm so thrilled by it!!!

It is a gorgeous bag, finished perfectly.  I just know it will be the perfect stitching project bag!  Inside were some goodies as well:

There was a needle threader by My Big Toe Designs, a Heart in Hand chart, some threads including my first skein of Dinky Dyes silks and a piece of linen and complimentary fabric.  Thank you Clare!!!  I love everything so much!

I also won Despina's giveaway!  I got two charts, one of which is a cute L*K Easter chart!

Thank you Despina!

Exchange for Despina

I've been a bad blogger!  Despina received this piece I stitched for her for the HoE LHN/CCN exchange last week and I still haven't posted about it.  Better late than never...

Cupcake from Sweet Treats by Country Cottage Needleworks

Finished as a Pincushion, filled with crushed glass

Happy Stitching!!!

Final Exchanges of The Year

I received this sweet little ornament from Jayne in the mail from the Christmas Exchange on the HoE Too blog:

Here is an exchange I sent to Michelle from the Stitching Exchanging blog:

It's another LHN design. I just seem to love them :-)! I finished it as a pinkeep, my first ever and I was really happy with the way it turned out. It's hard to see but the pins are a pretty red that matches the birds.

Happy Stitching!

Finally! A Finish I Can Show

I stitched this piece for the Hooked on Exchanging group:

Winter Sampler by LHN
JCS Ornament Issue 2009
Fabric: Vintage Mocha Belfast Linen
Fibre's: DMC, Blanc, 433, 524, 3052, 3721
Backed with green felt

I received an email from my partner that she really like it! This is my first attempt at the "Prairie Schooler type" finishing and I'm really happy with the results.

Happy Stitching!

Look What Came in the Mail

I received my HoE Halloween Exchange piece today! That was exciting enough and then I saw who it was from...Sadie from Stitching up a Storm. Ever since I found her blog a while ago I've admired her beautiful stitching and finishing work. She is fabulous!

Here is a photo of the piece. It's finished as a flat ornament and looks wonderful. I love the fabric, it's sparkly with a mottled purple hue, the touch with the ribbon and faceted stone is lovely! I am so thrilled. Thank you so much Sadie! I absolutely love it!!!

Look what else she included:

Dragon Floss, DMC floss, cute Halloween fabric, a vampire candle, ribbon, and that fabulous fuzzy orange fabric is a zipper bag. I'm so thrilled with my first exchange!

As for my own stitching, I was able to figure out what I'm making for my family members and a couple Christmas exchanges and that's it. This cold is still hanging on. I'm hoping to start a Prairie School ornament this evening if I feel a little better.

Happy Stitching!

Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet

Here is the piece I stitched for the HoE Halloween Exchange. I saw that my partner recieved so I'm finally able to post a picture of it:

Smell My Feet

La-D-Da

2008 JCS Halloween Issue

Stiched on: 36 ct. Raw Edinburgh Linen

Fibres: SS Grape Leaf & WDW Charcoal

Trimmed with Pom Pom Fringe, backing fabric shown

I didn't get any stitching done this weekend as I came down with a nasty head cold. I'm feeling better tonight, I was even able to cook supper, much to my families joy. :-) Hopefully I can get back at it tomorrow. I have a bunch of ornaments to do for family for Christmas presents.